Senior Social Worker

Veterans Health Administration • Saint Louis, MO

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Social Worker works in the Substance Use Disorder Domiciliary (SUD-DOM), a residential program in the VA mental health continuum of care, and the Intensive Outpatient Program. SUD-DOM treats up to 31 Veterans at a time, with programming averaging three weeks; the Intensive Outpatient Program treats up to 12 Veterans, with programming averaging four weeks. Both programs provide individualized services through an interdisciplinary team and individual and group modalities.

The position conducts psychosocial, risk, and diagnostic assessments; uses assessment findings to inform treatment planning; and collaborates with Veterans, families, and the treatment team to establish SMART goals focused on independence and recovery. The social worker independently provides evidence-based and evidence-informed care for substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, as well as skills-building interventions for psychosocial stressors. The role also offers consultation and training to colleagues, maintains current knowledge of evidence-based care, and develops or updates program policies, procedures, and practice guidelines.

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and program approval. The position is authorized for telework, but it is not virtual or remote; the employee must be able to work at the announced location. The full performance level is GS-12.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); a doctoral degree cannot substitute for the master’s degree.
• At least two years of experience after advanced practice clinical licensure, in a specialized area of social work practice; one year must be equivalent to GS-11.
• Valid, unrestricted state license or certification at the advanced practice level, including an advanced generalist or clinical examination, subject to the stated grandfathering provisions.
• Ability to provide supervision for licensure.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Demonstrated skill in specialized interventions and treatment modalities, including individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced psychosocial or case management.
• Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation into differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.
• Knowledge of developing and implementing methods to measure social work practice and service effectiveness, use outcome evaluations to improve treatment, and design system changes.
• Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on psychosocial treatment and model effective social work practice.
• Ability to expand clinical knowledge and write policies, procedures, or practice guidelines for the service delivery area.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, except where VA policy permits appointment of non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Must meet VA background and security requirements and complete required onboarding and application documentation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Must maintain full, valid, and unrestricted independent licensure or certification to remain qualified for employment.

Nice To Haves

• Certification or post-master’s training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university in a specialty area, including a defined curriculum or course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Complete psychosocial, risk, and diagnostic assessments, as clinically indicated, to determine Veterans’ and families’ functioning and needs, and use findings to inform treatment planning.
• Develop SMART treatment goals and objectives with Veterans, family members or significant others, and the interdisciplinary team, as applicable, to maximize Veteran independence and recovery.
• Independently provide evidence-based and evidence-informed episodes of care for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders, including depressive, anxiety, trauma-related, psychotic, bipolar, and personality disorders.
• Provide skills-building interventions for psychosocial stressors and symptoms, including interpersonal problems and grief.
• Consult with treatment team members and staff about Veterans’ psychosocial needs and how identified problems affect health care planning, treatment progress, and graduation or discharge planning.
• Maintain current knowledge of evidence-based care for substance use and co-occurring disorders.
• Write or update psychotherapy-related policies, procedures, and practice guidelines for the SUD program area, and provide consultation or training on those standards.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with potential reimbursement of up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and program approval.
• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position and eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior